Friday, August 25, 2017

Saudi Arabia deploys troops to Aden. What does this mean?

via Yemen Extra.

Yemeni officials loyal to former president, Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, say Saudi Arabia has for the first time deployed troops to the southwestern port city of Aden, where Riyadh and its ally, the United Arab Emirates, are vying for a foothold.

The officials, who were speaking on condition of anonymity, said the Saudi forces had been stationed at Aden’s presidential palace, port and airport.

They are the first special Saudi forces in Aden since 2015, when the Arab monarchy launched a military campaign against Yemen in an attempt to eliminate the country’s Houthi Ansarullah movement and reinstall Riyadh-friendly Hadi.

Saudi Arabia receives backing in the war from a number of its client states, including the UAE. There have, however, been some indications that Saudi Arabia and the UAE disagree on a number of issues over the war on Yemen, among them the control of Aden International Airport.

This one confuses me. Have you ever seen something that you can tell is important but can't quite make it out? I know that makes no sense but roll with it.

What does this mean?

I have no idea but this could be telling. Everything in my body tells me that this indicates a new turn in the war in Yemen and in the relations between Saudi Arabia and Yemen but I can't put my finger on why.

I'll wait for others with better knowledge and information to chime in on this one.